With the Nintendo Switch proving to be an instant success, it makes sense for Nintendo to find ways to continue this success. A report from Japanese business daily Nikkei claims that Nintendo is developing a smaller and cheaper version of the system release sometime in 2019. The rumored Switch will focus on portability and also on the less expensive side, in the process, also cut some features in exchange.
According to speculations, Nintendo could be removing the console dock for this new Switch version which is in line with the report’s suggestion that the new console will be more portable and easier to use outdoors.
Another guess that makes sense is that the company is ditching the cartridges slot. That way, Nintendo can place more emphasis on downloadable content and online subscriptions, but at this point, all these are based on pure speculation.
Aside from a miniature Switch, the report also hints at Nintendo’s plan to introduce a new service aimed at “game enthusiasts willing to pay more.” Some guess is that this new service might be potentially a more robust classic games subscription, somewhat similar to the Virtual Console of the Wii and Wii U days.
The report arrives on the heels of an impressive Q3 2018 that saw 9.41 million Switch consoles moved between October and December 2018. Even with those numbers, Nintendo cuts its sales forecast for this fiscal year from 20 million down to 17 million units. A cheaper Switch could be exactly what Nintendo needs to increase console sales this year.
